Brett Heidema farms in southwest Montana where he grows seed potatoes, spring wheat, barley, corn and alfalfa. And while most hours of the day you can find him out in the field, he also plays another important role — dad.
“I grew up on a dairy farm with my family,” Brett says. “I learned the value of hard work from my dad. I have been involved in farming since I was little, but started full time after graduating college in 2010. I married my wife Kendra in 2010 and we have three kids. Twin girls, Kinsley and Allie, who will turn five in July and Tracen, our son, who just turned one.”
While farming and fatherhood are two separate jobs, they share many similarities.
“Being a father and a farmer are very similar because there’s always going to be challenges, there’s going to be unexpected events in life, and it will not always be easy,” Brett says. “At the end of the day, the rewards will always outweigh the challenges. Our children bring so much joy and excitement to our lives; I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
“Same as in farming, it’s often a lot of work and is challenging, but this lifestyle and the opportunity that it provides is hard to pass up.”
A Balancing Act
The biggest challenge Brett faces in his everyday life is balancing being a father and farming.
“There always seems that there is work to be done on the farm,” Brett says. “Growing up with the work ethic that I did, I have a hard time not working when there are things to be done.”
“My wife has played a large role in helping me become a better father,” Brett says. “She needs to often remind me where my priorities must lie. I take as many opportunities that I can to take our kids with me while I am working. Also, when I’m home I try to make an effort to leave work at work and focus on our kids. I give a lot of credit to my wife for taking the time and having the patience to stay at home raising our kids.”
Looking Ahead
As for the future of farming, Brett hopes at least one of his kids are involved with agriculture in some way in the years ahead.
“As of right now it’s a little early to tell if any of them are interested in farming,” says Brett. “Our kids love going for rides with me in the tractor or combine any chance they get and riding with me on the razor or four-wheeler to scout fields or check pivots. I hope that I can instill a love for agriculture in them and would love to see one or all of them involved in the farm in the future.”
“The most important thing that I hope our kids will learn from me would be the importance of faith, a love for Jesus Christ, that they’ll learn to find enjoyment in agriculture and will learn the value of hard work.”